Chapter 1 – Prologue
In the vast, dark emptiness of space, a powerful spherical core drifted through the void, pulsating with immense, pure energy and leaving trails of radiant light in its wake. Suddenly, the core halted, floating motionless in the void, its energy pulsing in quiet rhythm. A consciousness stirred within, asking itself: “What am I? What is my purpose? Where am I going?” These questions echoed while resonating with pulses emitted in the dark, empty void.
The core spun around in space, observing its surroundings — an endless expanse of darkness. The only illumination came from its own glowing core. Resolving to create meaning in its existence, the core decided: “If I have no purpose, then I shall become the purpose.”
It began to change, morphing into a form of majestic power — a Prime being. It took the shape of a towering figure with two arms, two legs, a torso, and a head — enhanced with an ethereal glow that pulsed with divine energy. Its entire being shimmered with an aura of creation and dominion. Its eyes glowed with pure light.
The Prime gazed down at its arms in wonder, and as it looked deeper, there were countless galaxies within itself. In its boundless wisdom and power, the Prime pondered. Its thoughts echoed through the void like waves. Then, with a mere wisp of movement from its hand, the Prime began to create. Meteors flung outward into the void.
With deliberate grace, the Prime shaped the emptiness into something grand. It conjured a vast galaxy with its heart a brilliant, radiant star that pierced the darkness and spread light across the infinite dark space. Then, with its mighty hands, the Prime gathered the rocks floating in space and shaped twelve planets and their respective moons, each world vibrant, distinct, and full of potential.
Focused now, the Prime turned his attention to the twelve planets it had crafted. With gentle motions of its fingers, it moulded the lands, and with a nudge raised towering mountains whose peaks pierced the heavens. With brimming joy from its creation, Prime’s eyes filled with tears, which fell down on the planets and burst forth oceans and rivers coursing across the terrain.
Then Prime shrank down further and stepped onto the planets, and when its feet touched the ground, life erupted. Wherever the Prime treaded, verdant plants burst forth in rich colours, painting the land. Following that, Prime created the majestic beasts — imagined from the depths of its mind to roam the lands, swim in the waters, and soar through the skies. Each species was a work of art, a living testament to its boundless creativity.
Finally, the Prime sculpted human beings, shaped from his own image.
From planet to planet, the Prime walked, infusing each world with its energy and life. Each world became a unique paradise, a reflection of its imagination and will. Once creation was complete, the Prime set the planets into orbit around the central star with a gentle push. Each planet is a jewel in the vast tapestry of the cosmos as it was marvelled with the diversity of life.
Satisfied, the Prime then built a magnificent, transparent celestial palace in a separate dimension — a place from which he could observe all that he had created. But unbeknownst to the Prime, an immense exertion was taking its toll due to the divine effort.
Fatigue overwhelmed the Prime, bringing him to his knees. In that moment, his divine essence surged unconsciously, and from it rose twelve mighty divine beings. These twelve beings, known as the Zodiacs, and each endowed with unique powers.
As the Zodiacs took their final forms, the Prime, overwhelmed by weariness, drifted into a deep, timeless slumber. Yet even in rest, the Prime trusted his newfound beings would watch over his creation, ensuring the cosmos would thrive until the day their creator, Prime himself, might awaken once more.
Millennia passed, and the Prime was still recovering from his exhaustion.
Then one day, the Prime awoke. His senses are slowly returning—his eyes adjusting to the dim glow. Within the quiet halls of its celestial palace, Prime stirred, and as he entered a grand hall, he saw before him the twelve Zodiac guardians kneeling to their creator. Their forms were tall and majestic, yet their loyalty was unwavering.
With a voice that rumbled like the breath of stars, the Prime spoke: “How are you all, my faithful Zodiacs?”
In perfect unison, they replied, “We are well, sustained by your goodness and health, O great Prime.”
Joy filled Prime when he saw the Zodiac’s steadfast loyalty. Then Prime noticed beyond the Zodiacs to see his most proud creation. Without hesitating, he moved towards the balcony of the celestial palace, eager to witness the flourishing beauty of its creation. Prime’s movements were awkward and clumsy after aeons of sleep, but he reached the balcony and gazed upon his creation, and what he saw filled him with deep sorrow and disbelief.
Across all twelve planets, chaos reigned, especially around human beings. Death filled the ground, and the air was thick with turmoil and despair. Suddenly, out of nowhere, waves of negative energy surged from the twelve planets toward the celestial palace, threatening to corrupt the pure essence of the Prime, which staggered him back a bit, but the Zodiacs swiftly erected a shimmering shield of protection while kneeling down.
Shock and fury ignited within the Prime being, its voice thundering across the silent void. “What madness is this?” it demanded, eyes ablaze with sorrow and anger. “What were you doing while my creation descends into such chaos?”
The Zodiacs, remaining on their knees with heads bowed low, their forms shimmering with sorrow and regret, began to speak — their voices carrying the weight of countless failures.
“We tried our utmost,” one began, voice tinged with sorrow. “But over time, it became their nature. They resisted our attempts to guide and protect.”
“Intervening only seemed to worsen the plight,” another added, their expression pained. “Our efforts to restore balance often led to unintended consequences.”
“We appointed watchers for each planet,” a third Zodiac explained, voice filled with remorse. “Hoping they could mitigate the turmoil, but their influence was limited against the tide of discord.”
“We witnessed it spiral into uncontrollable reactions,” another Zodiac spoke softly, their gaze lowered in shame. “Our actions to contain and slow the deterioration seemed futile against the relentless onslaught of chaos.”
The Prime listened, heart heavy with the weight of their words. It felt the crushing burden of its fury mingled with the realisation that creation, despite its beauty, was fraught with complexities and uncertainties. Gradually, anger gave way to profound sorrow as it understood the depth of despair its creation had fallen into.
The Prime stood amidst the grandeur of its celestial palace, burdened by the weight of disappointment and sorrow. The once serene cosmos, he had meticulously crafted, now echoed with the cries of suffering and the discord of chaos. His gaze swept across the twelve planets, each bearing scars of turmoil that pierced its very essence. Sensing their creator’s anguish, the Zodiacs remained kneeling, their heads bowed in reverence and respect. They had faithfully upheld their duty, yet the Prime could not shake the bitter truth that, despite their efforts, this darkness had taken root. “I see now the depths of despair my creations have ventured in,” the Prime spoke with a voice trembling with grief. “The harmony I sought to nurture for my creation has been shattered by forces beyond my understanding.”
The Zodiacs looked up, their expressions a mix of sorrow and unwavering loyalty. One Zodiac murmured, “We tried to protect them, to guide them, but they have chosen paths of conflict and suffering.”
Another added, their tone heavy with remorse, “We were only able to watch as they turned against one another, driven by pride, envy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust.”
The Prime nodded solemnly, its features softened by the Zodiacs’ words. Despite the pain of witnessing its creation’s downfall, it recognised the unwavering dedication of the Zodiacs. They had acted with the best intentions, though no guidance had been left by the Prime, and their resolve had not faltered even in the face of overwhelming darkness.
“I thank you for your service and steadfast loyalty,” the Prime being said, its voice resonating with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. Then, in a whisper barely audible, Prime began to ask himself, “What can be done to rectify this madness?” Prime moved restlessly across the grand corridor of the celestial monument, surrounded by the solemn, speechless Zodiacs who pondered how best to approach their creator amidst the palpable weight of their failure.
“I may have a solution,” a voice began, steady yet tinged with the gravity of what was to come.
The Prime turned his gaze towards the gathered Zodiacs and searched for the voice among the crowd. “Whose was it?” he asked.
From the kneeling Zodiacs, Capricorn rose. Known for his unwavering determination and wisdom, he stepped forward with a resolute gaze. With a gentle touch, Capricorn caught the Prime’s hand, locking eyes with a confidence that spoke of sacrifice yet to be unveiled, “but it requires great sacrifice on one’s part.”
The Prime and Capricorn withdrew to another chamber. Alone, they deliberated for what felt like an eternity, while the other Zodiacs waited patiently in the grand hall, the weight of the cosmos pressing down upon them.
Emerging at last, Prime and Capricorn returned to the hall. Prime addressed the assembly, Capricorn stepping back among his brethren. His voice echoed through the still halls of the monument, each word heavy with resolve.
“When I first created you, my faithful Zodiacs,” Prime began, his voice filled with sorrow, “I imparted no guidance and left everything for you to figure out on your own. Your dedication to shielding me inadvertently led to neglect elsewhere, plunging the creation into darkness. Therefore, I relieve you of the duty to protect me so that you may instead protect what I have created.”
The guardians listened in stunned silence, hearts heavy with the realisation of their unintended failures — all but one, whose eyes glinted with knowing understanding.
“To save the realms from being consumed by darkness,” Prime continued, his tone both firm and compassionate, “I will undertake two crucial actions. First, I shall bestow a fragment of my power to Capricorn, who will then choose a guardian from among ordinary beings. Their duty will be to restore balance and bring peace across the realms.”
All Zodiacs listened to Prime’s decree without question.
“Secondly,” Prime said, his gaze sweeping the silent hall, *”I shall forge a void pot — a vessel to collect and contain the festering darkness. I will bear this burden to ensure it never spreads beyond control as a final act of sacrificing myself.”
The Zodiacs’ expressions shifted — a gasp caught in their throats. Their creator, only just returned, was now preparing to leave them again. Before they could speak, Prime calmed them with gentle authority.
“I understand your concerns. I know I am leaving you all again, but this time I am leaving you with purpose. So be at ease.” His voice soothed their spirits. “To ensure my safety during this sacrifice, I shall create a patron akin to yourselves. Their purpose will be to safeguard me as I undertake this arduous task.”
The Zodiacs stood in reverent silence, minds grappling with the gravity of Prime’s decisions. Each of them understood the burden of their role and the necessity of the task at hand.
With solemn unity, the Zodiacs accepted Prime’s will and expressed their gratitude for his sacrifice. One by one, they departed to resume their watch over their respective domains — all except Capricorn.
Capricorn remained, and his gaze met Prime’s with unwavering resolve. As Prime prepared to pass on a portion of his divine essence, Capricorn spoke softly, “I proposed this course of action… yet I wish for another way.”
“My dear Capricorn,” Prime responded, voice filled with warmth and understanding, “you and your fellow Zodiacs have done all that you could. Despite your guidance, my creations have fallen into darkness, but my love for them still endures.”
With that, Prime held his hand to his chest. A white orb of pulsing energy emerged from within, radiating intense light and illuminating the entire palace.
He continued, his voice calm but resolute, “This fragment of power is unlike anything I have ever created. It is the purest form of my divine core. Choose one whose lineage is sterling, similar to this — someone worthy of this immense responsibility.”
Then, Prime summoned a warden who emerged from the walls of the celestial palace. His presence radiated authority, clad in white-silver armour and fully covered white-silver helmet with a flowing white cloak, and a long sword by his side. He stood before Prime and Capricorn with authority and awaited command.
“Capricorn, he will be the divine knight who will guard me,” Prime declared. Capricorn nodded in acknowledgement.
With those words, Prime set about crafting the Void Pot from space — an artifact meant to contain the accumulating darkness. Unnoticed by Prime, Capricorn subtly infused the divine knight with a portion of his own power, foreseeing the role the knight would play in the future.
As Prime completed the crafting of the Void Pot, he sat at the heart of the celestial palace, cradling the pot in his lap. With solemn determination, he began the sacred ritual of self-sacrifice, preparing to absorb the darkness that threatened his creation. In his final moments of clarity, as the ritual neared completion, he beheld his newly empowered divine knight standing watchfully in front of him and looked at Capricorn, who was at his side for one last time.
As the ritual was completed, Prime became frozen like a statue. The Void Pot in his lap began to swirl, its surface shimmering ominously, signalling it was ready to collect the darkness that threatened the realm. Recognising the gravity of the moment, Capricorn sealed the palace from all but himself, ensuring that no disturbance would disrupt Prime’s sacrificial act. With a deep, reverent bow, he honoured Prime’s courage and silently departed.
Venturing across the twelve cosmos, Capricorn searched tirelessly for the destined individual — one worthy to inherit Prime’s power and restore the balance. At last, he found the chosen one and bestowed upon them the sacred power and duty.
The newly anointed guardian brought balance across all twelve realms. The darkness that once consumed existence was steadily absorbed by the Void Pot. Generations passed, and the bloodline of this guardian faithfully maintained peace across the realms. Yet, shadows still lingered — traces of chaos never fully vanquished.
Over centuries, the guardian bloodline stood vigilant. Each generation fought valiantly to uphold the balance. Then, without warning, on one fateful day, the guardian and their entire lineage vanished without a trace, sending shocking news through the twelve realms.
The Watchers of each realm, obeying the urgent summons of the Zodiacs, scoured every corner of their domains. Yet despite their exhaustive search, the mystery remained unsolved. The Zodiacs, once confident in the balance maintained, now grappled with a deepening fear. Had Prime’s monumental sacrifice been in vain?
With the guardian now gone, the darkness began to stir once more. Though its resurgence was slow and weakened by centuries of suppression, its presence was undeniable. The realms, once flourishing under the guardians’ watchful eyes, now felt a growing sense of dread. The intricate balance, painstakingly upheld for generations, seemed on the brink of collapse.
Fear spread like wildfire. Across all twelve realms, whispers of unrest grew louder. In their celestial chambers, the Zodiacs convened with heavy hearts and troubled minds.
And so, the realms stood at a crossroads with a future uncertain. The legacy of Prime’s power and the disappearance of the guardian bloodline set the stage for what was to come. Tendrils of darkness crept forward, threatening once again to claim what had been lost. As hope wavered, the realms could only wait — breathless — for what was to come.
Years passed since the mysterious disappearance of the guardian and their bloodline, and all the realms still remained in the dark about their fate, but the dreaded darkness that once threatened all existence inexplicably halted its advance. Peace flourished across the twelve realms, filling hearts with joy and a false sense of security. However, this peace was destined to be fleeting.
In one of the realms, Rowgen, a land divided between western and eastern regions by a trail of great mountain range and surrounded by oceans. The eastern region was home to four kingdoms. The Azurain Kingdom, occupying the vast northern expanse, was the largest and most dominant, which was ruled by King Azure of the East, a monarch renowned for his wisdom, strength, and unwavering justice, while the southern portion of the eastern region is split into three kingdoms directly below the Azurain Kingdom. King Azure was a pillar of resilience and leadership, commanding respect and admiration from all corners of his kingdom. Despite the heavy burden of losing his two beloved wives, he raised his four children with strength and grace, while ensuring the continued prosperity and harmony of his kingdom.
One night, in the king’s chamber, where King Azure is sleeping, a strange, ethereal smoke orb floated silently into the room. The mist seeped into him, morphing into a sinister dream.
In the dream, King Azure stirred in his sleep, grunting and drenched in sweat as an unseen force awakened him. He was drawn to the balcony as he stepped into the moonlight. The full moon cast a haunting glow over the land. A shadowy figure emerged from the smoky orb in the dark corner of the chamber and floated near him, whispering with a hypnotic, sinister female echoing voice that sent chills down his spine.
“Start a war…..unite the East…..destroy all who stand in your way.”
King Azure, steadfast and just, replied, “Starting a war in these peaceful times is unnecessary and selfish.”
The shadow persisted, its voice more insistent. “The East should be under one king — and that king should be you.”
King Azure echoed back, dazed, “One king in the East… and that king should be me?”
“Yessss,” came the chilling affirmation.
Jolted awake, the king gasped for breath, sweat trickling down his brow as he looked around. The shadowy figure was not there, yet the voice lingered in his thoughts:
“The East should be under one king… and that king should be you.”
Though shaken, King Azure composed himself and summoned his guards and ordered his council and generals to prepare for war. As dawn broke over the eastern kingdom, the morning brought news that no one expected.
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